Both have taken out formidable opponents — in their respective series and this showdown. Will wielding magic and Slayer be enough for Kate Daniels to take out Barrons? That’s for you to decide. The winner of this battle will have a place in the final round of the Alpha Showdown.

You can get a refresher on just what this Alpha Showdown thing is here, but a key point to remember: Each poll is open for only 48 hours. Then, the champion will advance to the next round until only one alpha remains. So, vote while you can. (Jump to the poll)

ROUND 14: JERICHO Z. BARRONS vs. KATE DANIELS

Jericho Z. Barrons

You know him from: The Fever series by Karen Marie MoningFirst appeared in: Darkfever (review| get a copy)Supernatural status: Wouldn’t you like to know? Just accept he’s ‘other’

BARRONS! This one word says it all. Just by seeing or reading his name causes women everywhere to conjure up images of red satin sheets, crimson and black tattoos, and dark and dirty seductive thoughts. These thoughts run rampant when thinking of Barrons. Why is he the ultimate alpha? He is carnal. He is an animal. You want to be ravaged by him. He knows this, and so he has lots of swagger. He knows that you want him and he knows that you can’t handle him. He will be too much and not enough at the same time. He messes with your mind and afterwards he leaves you speechless and wanting more. You can never have too much of Barrons.

To put it all in a nutshell, Barrons is very dangerous. He’s been around for a long time and is a natural leader. Everyone fears him including the very powerful Fae. He cannot be defeated and trust me you want to be on his team. He is sin incarnate all wrapped up into the body of one man. Barrons does what he wants, says what he wants, and doesn’t care what you think or if your feeling are hurt. He is one bad mofo!

Kate Daniels

Kate Daniels isn’t your typical heroine. Yes, she’s tough and feisty, and can handle herself in a brawl, but she’s also vulnerable, and finding love hasn’t been easy for her. However, like a champ, she takes her licks and keeps on truckin’, while all hell is usually breaking loose around her. Loyal to a fault, she’ll protect her friends to the death, and is constantly throwing (yes, throwing) herself into harm’s way to defend the innocent.

Armed with her trusty (and powerful) sword, Slayer, plenty of attitude, and the ability to call powerful magic at the tips of her fingers (and that ain’t all), Kate is not a girl to be trifled with. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s mate to the Beast Lord Curran, second-in-command in charge of more than 1,000 tough-as-nails shapeshifters (nice back-up to have, huh?). Kate is also stubborn enough to put up with His Crankiness’ disposition and keep him on his toes (and coming back for more.)

If you ever have to battle any manner of shapeshifter, rakshasha (nasty, nasty, things), or rogue vamp, Kate is someone you’ll want at your back!

Because we’re getting down to the semi-finals, we won’t have a new battle up for 48 hours, instead of 24. (We’re allowing for the final brackets to close.) Keep checking in for updates. The final round will begin on June 1, which coincidentally is our one year blogoversary. Expect there to be giveaway awesomeness. You can see the full bracket, and keep updated on which polls are open by visiting the Alpha Showdown page.

I’m a diehard Barrons fan. Could not imagine voting for anyone else. He is the King of the Jungle. If you are not working with him, then you’re against him. He’s the night and moves like a dark wind, can leap tall buildings, he’s like the cheetah of the Serengeti, faster, stronger, and smarter than everything else out there. He is the biggest, baddest a**, and he has all of the toys. He takes up more space then the molecules in his body. He can be killed, but he always comes back to life. He’s lived for thousands of years. He is so sensual and sexual that he sets your teeth on edge. Enough said.

Kate has killed immortals, enormous monsters like junk dragons, and broken the legs off of hundreds of fomorians (which also come back after being killed, Barrons you’re not so special). All she would have to do is launch a fire ball from her hands and burn him where he stands. Barrons wins fights because he’s always the strongest, so when he comes up against someone with brains and power, like Kate, he’ll lose. She’s taken down plenty of beings like him. Kate FTW!

Well, I’m a big Kate Fan too, but I’m kinda obsessed with JZB. And if you’re a fan of the series like I am, then you know he is the alpha of all alphas. He’s the strongest, fastest, and the best. Barrons wins this one hands down!

I just can’t see Barrons living though this round! Granted, Kate would probably die as well but can you see Curran’s murderer walking free? Kate is toting A LOT of magic with spells she has forbidden herself to cast…if Curran is down, no holds barred.